Is this 3rd Dragoon replica a colt?

[kenneth strickland]

I bought a 3rd model Dragoon and I am hoping someone who knows these can tell if it is a First Generation colt made in the 1970's. It has the "Authentic Black Powder Colt" medallion with S. Colt's portrait in each grip and serial number of DAC213 on frame barrel and grip. Proof marks on frame are a shield with crossed swords and star in a circle above that. PN with star in circle above it and AE in square. Left side of frame has large A shape with unside down triangle inside A. The barrel frame has same shield/crossed swords with circle star above plus PN with the circled star above it. Under loading rod on barrel is stamped Black Powder only CAL.44 Made in Italy. Cylinder has Indian battle scene with Model U.S.M.R. and Patent No. The medallions in the grip contradict the Made in Italy on the barrel plus I have heard the bp colts of the 20th century were assembled in USA using Italian parts. The Medallions look professionally installed. Thanks for any info and help.

 

[rebel727]

You have an Italian made clone made in 1979, Prolly has Colt grips fitted. Second generation percussion Colts were made from Italian parts but were fitted and finished at the Colt factory in Hartford, they have no Italian markings.They are considered real Colt's Third generation bp Colt's were made under license from Colt but are Colt in name only and are not considered to be real Colt's

 

[Zonie]

The Proof marks are Italian. The AE in a square box says it was proofed in 1979.

I may be wrong but I believe the First Generation Colts (and later ones) were assembled in the US and although they were made using Italian parts they did not have Italian proof marks.

zonie

PS: The First generation 3rd model Dragoon was made by Colt in 1974 and discontinued in 1976. The serial number range is 20901-25099 for the "C" series.

 

[rebel727]

First generation are the originals.

 

[Zonie]

Right you are. My reference to First Generation was a slip of the mind.
This said, when one reads my post above, they should scratch out the "First" and replace it with Second.
zonie :redface:

 

[kenneth strickland]

Thank you all for the information. This was not represented as a modern bp colt but as Italian repro and was priced as such when I bought it.